Author: hereandthereclaire

I was up early ready to get my bus to Bangkok.

I’d packed the night before and organised my rubbish etc. I like to leave my rooms/apartments as clean and tidy as possible. 

I had double & triple checked the location of the bus station! 

It was around a 5 min Grab ride away. I was somewhat surprised therefore when the cost was 170thb! This seemed a tad excessive, my thinking was that it was early morning and a destination that people need to get to so they up the price, unfair, but what can you do. 🤷‍♀️

I booked a Grab, tracked him on the app and literally as he appeared at the entrance he cancelled my ride! What the hell! This had taken nearly 15 mins, so now I’m anxious that I’ll be late. 

I booked another Grab, he luckily only took around 5 mins to arrive. When he did I showed him my bus ticket with the address, he seemed a little bemused but took me there. When we arrived he asked for my phone and explained that the ride I’d requested was for a different place, this ride was much cheaper and he had to alter that on my app! Bless him, I had no idea and would have parted with double the amount it should have been. Faith restored! 😍

The bus was blooming fabulous! Big, clean, super comfy, air conditioned, it had a toilet and they provided water. 

I had been asked by the ticket lady where in Bangkok I was heading to, I said near the Khoasan Road, she told me I should get off the bus at the 1st stop, then I could get a taxi. Seemed fine to me. 

The journey was great. We arrived on the outskirts of Bangkok and then the bus stopped and the driver said this was my stop. To be honest, I wasn’t convinced, it was a long way from the centre of Bangkok. There were a couple of guys on the bus who knew what they were doing they asked where I was heading, and told me to stay on until the next stop. Which I did, thank goodness! 

The bus terminated at a huge market and park that I had visited last year, so I knew where I was and also that it wasn’t far to my hotel.

I’m staying at the same hotel I stayed in at the end of my trip last year. It’s a great hotel, but it also happens to be a 7 minute walk to where I’m getting the bus to Cambodia from! Handy 👍

The women at reception recognised me from last year! Impressive. I’m pretty sure she then gave me a nicer room. 😍

By the time I’d arrived and got settled it was evening so I just walked down to the Khoasan Road, grabbed a beer then a very cheeky Maccie D’s!

My one full day in Bangkok was spent meandering and I found a great walk along by the canal behind the hotel, this took me away from the main road and also into a more locals area. It was amazing. 

Lots going on, people heading to work and school, getting their stalls set up for the day or just sitting in front of their homes watching the world go by. I ended up down by the river, which was my intention, I have a pretty good sense of direction. 

I opted to do the hop on hop off boat again. It’s cheap and I love being on the river. 

The river in Bangkok, the Chao Phraya River is the principal river of Thailand. It is really busy and has always been at the heart of Bangkoks trade and has helped to shape modern Bangkok. While I was on the boat a group of people, possibly a family got on all wearing traditional Thai clothing. These outfits are stunning, I’ve seen them before but always been reluctant to take pics. This time I asked if it was ok and the young girl said yes. The photos don’t do them justice. Everyone looked incredible. 

Having been up and down the river I opted to get off at IconSiam Mall. Mainly because it was really hot and I needed a wee! 

This Mall is super fancy, it has all the top designers and also a Masarati & Porsche showroom!  I had a mooch then grabbed an iced coffee and a pastry and enjoyed watching the river and reading my book. 

Whilst I was in the Mall I encountered my 2nd ignorant arsehole of the day, the first had been as I was boarding the boat. I’ve said before about people pushing in or not moving out of the way etc, well, I was queuing to board the boat and some European woman literally pushed in front of me, then her husband did the same! I tutted very loudly, which her son heard, he looked embarrassed, they were oblivious! Then when I was out on the roof of the Mall I needed to move a bollard/stand rope thing to get past something. ( the things they use to make you queue in a certain direction) I was rolling the stand out of my way (it was pretty heavy) when a guy tried to push past me through the tiny gap, whilst talking on his mobile and ignoring me completely. I don’t think so buddy!! 😠 I simply rolled the stand back then dropped it on his foot! He looked suitably surprised and I walked off feeling rather pleased with myself! 😂

While we are on pet peeves, what is it with toilet signs? Why do they have to be so bloody difficult to decipher! It’s not modern art, it’s bloody Loo sign! 

End of moan! 

I enjoyed my last evening in Bangkok at a local family run cafe/restaurant that I had seen earlier by the canal. There was a storm coming so it was lovely and breezy! 

Another early morning preparing for my departure from Bangkok. 

It was a nice short walk to the bus pick up point. I was feeling a little nervous about this journey, it’s 8 hours and involves crossing a border! 

I really need to stop watching clips from Border Force!! 😳😂

Once again the bus was fabulous. Clean, comfy, reclining seats, wifi, air con. They also provided us with cans of iced coffee a croissant and water when we departed. They then help you to complete your visa form, which wasn’t very complicated. They have 2 drivers and another staff member who helps with everything. 

As we left Bangkok a storm started and didn’t stop until we reached the border 4hrs later! This meant that I felt ok about having a little snooze 💤.

The border crossing was a breeze! The visa they give you is in your passport and very fancy! Once back on the bus we were given more water and some vegetable fried rice! 😋

You can tell you are in another country, the roads are definitely not as good, there are lots of cattle by the road and also loads of dogs, big dogs as well. 

The storms had abated, but it was still pretty cloudy. 

We arrived in Siem Reap at 5pm exactly 8hrs after leaving Bangkok! Impressive. 

My Hotel in Siem Reap had messaged me about a pick up from the airport, I explained that I was arriving by bus so they organised for a Tuk Tuk to come and collect me, which was fabulous. 

I felt very boujee seeing the driver in the bus station with a huge Gold sign with my name on!! 😳😍

My Hotel is so lush. The staff are all incredibly kind and helpful. They can’t seem to do enough for you and I feel it’s a genuine desire to help. 

Thea, the manager/owner is great and Mr John has been invaluable in helping me organise my itinerary for the museums and for visiting the Angkor Watt Temple sites. 

Angkor Watt is a Hindu/Buddhist temple complex that covers a huge area of over 402 acres. It is one of the most important archaeological sites in South -East Asia. It contains the magnificent remains of the Khmer Empire from the 9th – 15th Century. The ruins include Temples, basins, dykes, reservoirs and hydraulic structures. 

I am going to be visiting the site over 3 days. Starting on Sunday. 

First I’m going to visit Angkor Watt museum to find out more about its history. 

My first morning here was spent trying to organise a SIM card and get some money. 

The Cambodians use both Cambodian Riel and US dollars. I wanted to use Cambodian Riel as apparently you get a better deal. 

I left the hotel after breakfast with directions to the nearest atm, which I found no problem. Then I attempted to withdraw what I thought was Cambodian Riel, but was actually US dollars. So the ATM rightly said I was asking for more than my daily limit!! The machine then said that it wasn’t working….😳 Suspicious.

I didn’t want to try again so went in search of a proper bank, which I found. A very helpful young woman tried to help me withdraw Cambodian Riel from the cash point, but it wouldn’t work. I’m not really sure why, neither was she. In the end I opted to get the money out over the counter. OMG! What a palaver. It took around 20 minutes, a forest of paperwork, my passport, my signature on 100s of bits of paper, eventually I left with a bulging purse full of cash equivalent to £200!! 

My next task was to get a SIM card. Well, this turned out to be a tad difficult as well! 

Once again my passport is required, which I knew, they also have to take your picture. For some reason my picture was not being excepted. The guy kept saying “shut your eyes, then open slowly whilst looking directly into the camera” 😂 3 people tried so many times in all different directions, in case it was the light, the shadow. I’m thinking is it the sweat dripping off my face that’s distorting the image? Have I aged dramatically since my passport pic?  ( 4months ago) Honestly, it was hysterical! 

Eventually the guy figured out it was his internet not working properly!! He sorted that and we were good to go, I smized, the photo was snapped & accepted, I’m now just waiting for a call back from Tyra Banks!! 

I walked back to the hotel and was greeted with a welcome glass of tea and an ice cold towel! Perfect. 😍 

That’s it for now. It’s going to be an exciting week I think! 

Have a great weekend everyone.

Wishing Nikki & JG a fabulous final couple of nights at Whiskers. 

It’s going to be epic, but sad to see the end of the Whiskers era. 🎉🎉

Books read.

Friends with secrets. Christine Gunderson. I enjoyed this book, it made me chuckle. 

The Book of beginnings. Sally Page. Another one I really enjoyed. It felt like a proper story! It also made me chuckle and cry! 

Today is my last full day in Hun Hin. I have enjoyed my down time here but definitely ready to get going and get busy! 

I haven’t been able to drag myself back for another massage! The thought of the pain is just too much. I’m also not convinced she hasn’t done something to my neck, as it’s been pretty stiff since my massage and I’ve also had a few headaches. 😬  

Of course this is far more likely to be down to sleeping funny, the air conditioning, swimming with my head out of the water, or not drinking enough water! But still….😂

I really haven’t done very much since my last blog. 

I’ve had a few more lovely beach walks. It’s so unusual and pleasant to walk on a very clean beach, not something you see often here or anywhere these days. 

The pool area at my apartment complex is so lovely. There is always a shady lounging area free and it can also be incredibly peaceful, especially when the bloody stupid, very loud, water feature isn’t running! Or when one particular young lad isn’t there. He is around 10 and for some reason he screams, A lot! It isn’t just any scream either it is a high pitched, prolonged screech that goes right through you! Apart from that it’s lush! 😂 

I have even watched a film! The first thing I’ve watched since leaving Australia. It was Equaliser 3! 

For those that can remember, I had started watching this on my flight from Doha to Perth just before having to disembark due to a fault and then the next flight didn’t have it! So finally after 3 months I got to finish watching. 😄

I have also been busy planning more of my journey through Cambodia & Vietnam. 

I have been helped enormously by watching my lovely friends, Cory & Charlottes, Vlogs on their You Tube channel, “CJ Explores.” Check them out, some amazingly helpful travel vlogs covering a wide range of places. They were a great help to my Grantley when he was planning his European trip. 

I have visited a couple of the shopping malls over the last few days. Malls are not my favourite thing but needs must and I needed some foreign currency, US dollars and a little Vietnamese. I also needed some pain medicine for my neck. I nearly resisted buying anything, but caved over a beautiful, bright, cheap sarong, which I absolutely don’t need it. I already have far too much stuff. I reckon I could have bought 1/2 of what I have and it still would have been too much! 

I’m hoping that I’ll get to wear some of my nicer things at my fancy hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. 🥰🍾

My thoughts on Hun Hin are that it is definitely worth a visit if you’re in Thailand. I miss the abundance of beach bars and tree lined beaches and it’s not a big party place like Phuket or Pattaya but it is lovely.

Another thing I’ve found is that so far on this trip I haven’t really met or chatted to many people. Usually I always get chatting to people, but not so much this time. I think being in an apartment complex is one of the reasons, which is why I most often opt to stay in hotels. I have had a couple of nice chats to one of the Thai ladies who looks after the gardens, she’s cute. 

Hopefully the smaller places I’ll be staying at in Cambodia and Vietnam will lend themselves to being more sociable. Failing that, I’ll just have to force myself on poor unsuspecting friendly looking people! 😍

Brenda, Karen & Cory I’m thinking of you and sending you all my love. 

Happy 2nd Birthday tomorrow, to the little legend that is Herbie! 🎉💙💚🩵🎉

Thank you everyone for reading my blog. It means a great deal. ❤️❤️

Books read.

Half a yellow sun. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. 

Wow! An absolutely incredible book. Set before and during the Biafran War in the late 60s. Such a powerful and informative read. Everyone should read it. Thank you Tracey for this recommendation. 

The invisible life of Addie LaRue. V.E. Schwab. 

Another great read. I didn’t read the blurb as it was recommended by Laura, whose recommendations are always good. Definitely not my usual genre, but I loved it. Thanks Lau Lau. 

Please keep the recommendations coming! 😍❤️😍

I have spent the last 5 days getting into my relaxing groove! 😍

This has meant I’ve done very little, so this might be a short post! 

The beach here is really lovely, long with soft sand and no rubbish, which is, sadly, very unusual.  
The sea was so calm that the sky and sea looked as one, making the boats look like they were floating! So beautiful. 💙

I had a better walk along to see if there were any bars etc further along. There are. Having walked not very far on a particularly sunny morning I stopped at one place for some shade and a drink. It was a hotel pool and bar area, looked super nice. I found a table in some shade and ordered a refreshing Sprite. I then sat reading and people watching. Lots of people round the large pool, people doing aqua aerobics (looked fun!) it was fab. Then my bill arrived and I had to pay 120 tbh for my drink! Which is around £2.50! It was then I realised I was sitting in the 5* Hyatt Regency Hotel! 😍 It was amazing, but a tad expensive for me. 

I wandered back along the beach to the place I’d found the other day, called ‘Chaplu’ which is really lush. I had lunch, Vegetable Fried Rice and a beer for 200 thb, much more reasonable! 

I’ve have been making good use of the markets next to the hotel. They are fantastic, especially the food one, ‘Tamarind Market’ so much variety and such amazing food. The stalls are permanent, and offer really delicious food. It seems the most popular are the Pizza place, with their huge pizza oven, the place serving huge racks of ribs and the sweet roti stands! 

I’ve tried a Roti, yum! But my go to is a young woman in the corner who does fried rice…the best and it’s only 70 thb! Next to her is a stand doing an amazing satay chicken, again really cheap and delicious. 

I also love just sitting listening to the live music and watching everyone. Such a fabulous place to get yummy, cheap food. 

There are also a couple of lovely, independent coffee shops nearby, who do oat milk. 👍 They are great places for me to sit and write my blog or as I did on Tuesday do some planning for Vietnam. The great thing is they all provide free super fast wifi! Unlike Australia, who didn’t have wifi at all. 

I went for another lovely beach walk on Wednesday. It was a little overcast but still very hot. I opted to walk in the opposite direction towards the end of the beach. I ended up walking all the way to the end of the beach and the rocky outcrop. It didn’t look that far away, but I guess looks can be deceiving! 😬 It ended up being around 3ks which was not a problem but it was bloody warm! 🥵

Luckily at the end there were a couple of nice places to get food and drink! I sat with my mango smoothie and cooled off whilst watching monkeys on the beach! 😍

I thought about getting a Songthaew or a grab back but in the end I decided to walk, it didn’t seem so far on the way back! 

My only regret was not putting on my swimming costume before leaving, therefore not being able to walk straight into the pool on my return. Instead I had that awful situation of trying to get a swimming costume on a sweaty body, which let me tell you is no easy task!! 😂😂 After much contorting and huffing it was on and I was straight into the pool to cool down! Bliss! 🩵

I also treated myself to a fab foot massage, I felt my feet deserved it!

The lady who did it was amazing, but not gentle. I booked with her for the next day for a full body massage. 

So it’s the next day, I’m writing this in a fab cafe after my full body massage. 

Well I’m not sure what to say really. I obviously knew that the women, Daisy, was good and firm but I hadn’t factored in her hands, arms, fingers, thumbs and elbows being made of Tungsten or that she had the power of the worlds strongest man wrapped up in her 5ft 1 inch, 65 year old frame!! 

OMFG! She had my legs in all manner of positions holding my ankles whilst using her feet to push! It was insane. I can’t say I enjoyed it as such but it was an experience and I came out feeling amazing. 

I’m so glad I opted to go before lunch or I’m pretty sure I would have either farted or been sick or both! 😂😂 She has recommended I have this massage every day! I think physically it would be a fantastic idea, I’m just not sure I’m mentally prepared! 😯

I also Ben doing some more planning and have booked some accommodation in Vietnam. 

I am going to be in Ho Chi Minh City on my birthday. So I have booked a fabulous hotel as a little treat for myself! 🥰

This will be the first time I’ve ever been alone on my birthday, so that’s going to be weird! 

Well that’s about it for now. I’m off to have a swim and read my book. 

Have a great day lovely people.

I am still after Book recommendations. 

Thanks to Kathleen, Laura, Tracey and Jane for yours. 👍❤️

Books read.

I will find you. Harlen Coben. Good (not sure if I have already put this on?)

The Edge. David Baldacci. The 2nd one on from The 6.20 Man. It was ok, but I’m finding the constant the US Army is the best thing since sliced bread references a tad annoying! 

A noise downstairs. Linwood Barclay. OK. An interesting plot twist. 

Before leaving Bangkok for Hua Hin I had a couple of hours to wait so I had my first foot massage of the trip! 😍😍 Oh, wow! Just heaven, especially after my long, hot walk yesterday. Amazing. 

I was taking the train to Hua Hin and had double checked where the station was a couple of times, (apparently not that far from the hotel, about 20 mins away) I had actually driven past it the day before and asked the driver if that was the Central Train Station, he said yes.

My train was leaving at 15.15 so I called a Grab at 13.45 a little early but they can sometimes take a while to arrive. Luckily my Grab came very quickly. Traffic was mad, as always in Bangkok. I was a little disconcerted when we went sailing past what I thought was the train station 😳 I double checked with the driver and she said, no, that wasn’t the right station. 🚉  My station was bloody miles away! And it was huge. I arrived at 14.50, which by my standards is late! I also had to find my platform in the huge building and I needed a wee (stress) I raced through the station and found my platform just in time to board. 

The train was packed, luckily I’d booked and had a great seat with space in front to put my case. The train, no 171 was a Rapid Train (I’m not sure this was an accurate description, Tbf!) 

It was not very fast, quite hot, but brilliant! 😍❤️

My carriage seemed really old, made of wood with some rickety ceiling fans. But it was so interesting. 

So many people on board rushing up and down the carriages selling all sorts of things! Hot food, cold food, cold drinks, hot drinks, cakes, fans, sweets, water it was mad!  Every 3 – 4 stations they would all get off and another group would get on with a similar collection of wares. This went on for the whole 4 hour journey. I think this is a long distance train that goes through the night, so I guess people need food, drinks etc. 

The scenery was also beautiful, and there was a huge storm along the way. 😍💙

I arrived at the lovely station in Hua Hin at 18.45 and jumped straight into a cab to my accommodation.

I am going to be staying in Hua Hin for 2 weeks, so I’d booked a place in an apartment complex. It was supposed to be a small apartment with a pool view. It looked amazing online. 

When I finally found the right block and the right room in the dark, It was a tiny one room with no view at all. ☹️

I’m going to be honest and admit that when I arrived I was tired, hot and hungry. So I may have slightly overreacted. But I wasn’t impressed at all. If I’d been staying for a couple of days it would have been OK, but not for 2 weeks. Plus I’d paid for something better. 

I called the number on the key fob and a lady called Kate came to the apartment. She tried to explain that it was ok, it was a nice place, (TBF it wasn’t hideous) but I explained that it wasn’t what I’d booked, I showed her the booking. 

She suggested I stay the night, and cancel the booking. I explained that I wasn’t prepared to lose 13,000 Thb ( £280 ) in cancellation fees. She kindly agreed to waive the fee, suggested I get something to eat then let her know if I wanted to stay or not and we could rebook. 

This sounded like a good idea. So I cancelled, she waived the fee and left. 

I had a think, checked other places online and within 8 minutes of her leaving I messaged to say, I would like to continue with the booking. 

However within that 8 minute window it had already been booked 😳

Kate then came back to the apartment and did some jigging around of other bookings and managed to get me into another apartment for Thursday night and the correct apartment from Friday. This meant that I then needed to find accommodation for Wednesday night! Kate said that she would look after my luggage for that night, to save me carting it around. 

I booked somewhere else in central Hua Hin for the following night and finally after all the drama, managed to leave to get some food at around 21.30! 

I have to say that Kate was wonderful, really kind, and extremely helpful, she went above & beyond. Legend. ❤️❤️

The only place nearby I could find was an Italian, random, but I was so hungry I went in. It was lovely, my pesto linguine was delicious, but it was expensive, in Thailand terms. £10 for pasta and a beer. Still it did its job and I felt a little more human, and a lot less grumpy!! 

The next morning I was up and out and heading to my new digs. The Royal Pavilion, was perfect for what I needed. 

They let me leave my small backpack and I went off exploring. I made a beeline for the beach. 

The beach in this part of Hun Hin is small and gets smaller or non existent when the tide comes in. The benefit was that there were lots of great places to eat and drink on piers out over the sea. The added advantage of this was the wonderful sea breeze. The sea is The Gulf of Thailand. 

I had a wander than found a delightful place to sit and chill with a cold drink, my book & a cute little ginger cat! 🐈 

Having checked into the hotel at 3pm I had a refreshing swim in the pool before a storm hit. 

The pattern here seems to be, sunshine and heat until 3-4pm then thunder storms and heavy rain until 6 -7 then dry again! 

The hotel was near to a night market, which in stark contrast to Bangkok had no sex bars or even any bars at all! 

I found myself walking back to the place I’d stopped at earlier in the day.  I liked the vibe, the prices looked good. 👍 

The next morning I went back to La Habana and checked in to my room for the night then set about exploring the area. 

I walked down to the beach, which was beautiful, clean and the water looked fabulous. Unfortunately or fortunately there wasn’t a beach bar or restaurant in site! I had been hoping to find somewhere on the beach to be able to chill at. Due to my propensity to burning, sitting on the beach in the full glare of the sun isn’t an option! 🥵

I did find a fabulous little place just before the beach, within a 5 minute walk off my accommodation that did food, drinks, coffee and was wonderfully shady. 🩵

I think this end of the beach is much quieter, which I think is going to be a good thing. 

On Friday I finally moved into my correct accommodation, it’s great. 

I have found the last few days a little unsettling, I’ve felt like I have just been marking time before I could relax.

Having moved in I was able to unpack for the first time since leaving Malaysia! And get some laundry done. Joy! It’s the little things 😁

Although there aren’t as many bars or restaurants nearby I am right next to 2 night markets. Tamarind Market, which is a food market that sells everything and has live music as well. It’s on every Thursday – Sunday. This is fantastic for me, as the food is amazing and really cheap, and they do a wicked Pina Colada! 🍹😍

The other market is Cicada Market, also selling food and drink but also lots of local other things, like a stationary Walking Street. 

Both of the markets are lovely.

The pool area is also fabulous, nice and shady and big enough for me to actually swim, with lots of comfy areas to sit and relax. 

All in all I think this is going to be a good place to relax for a while. It’s just down to me to try and be comfy not doing loads! 😬

It seems there are a lot of older ex pat, Australian and European men living here in Hun Hin, many with their Thai wives or girlfriends. I do struggle with this a little. I’ve talked about it before in previous blogs. Ultimately I have to assume that both parties are benefiting from the relationship, I just feel there is an element of exploitation. 

Do we have the same attitude towards these men as we do to older white women picking up and marrying much younger men from Africa and the Caribbean? 

I’ve now been away for nearly 3 months! Normally I’d be coming home soon, so it will be interesting to see how I feel in another month or so. 

I do miss everyone, so it’s nice to get feedback on my blog or a WhatsApp message now & then! 😍

That’s it for now! 

Have a fabulous weekend.

🩷🩵💙💚🧡

📚Please send me some more book recommendations!! 📚

Books Read.

Because she loves me. Mark Edwards. A thriller, it was OK.

The Women. Kristin Hannah. This book was excellent. Really interesting for me as it is set during the Vietnam War. 

I would highly recommend.

Thank you Laura for the recommendation.😘❤️

I left Langkawi on Sunday for what I thought would be a nice easy journey to Bangkok. Unfortunately it was not as simple as expected!

I arrived at the airport, which is nice and small and easy to navigate. Found the Malaysian Airline check-in and was then told that my flight was delayed by 1hr. This meant that I was unlikely to make my connecting flight to Bangkok! 

The guys at check-in were super helpful and managed to get me on a later flight to Bangkok! Phew 🙂 I chilled in the departure for a while then went through security, with just a small wait before my flight. At the time we should have been boarding they announced that it was further delayed! Once again making it unlikely that I’d make my new connecting flight! 

The staff were again very kind & helpful and assured me that I would make the flight, they made it sound like I wouldn’t have far to go the get to the Bangkok flight. To be fair to them they were dealing with a particularly angry woman who was really kicking off! 😬

I, on the other hand was surprisingly calm! 😌 Very unlike me!

The flight eventually arrived and impressively we were given a bottle of water and some peanuts, on a 1hr flight for free! 👍

I found myself sat next to Little Miss Angry, who was still very upset. She was apparently going to miss her connection to Phnom Penh, which meant she wouldn’t be back in time to start her new job, her nanny would have left the children unattended, they would be at risk, she had spent 20 years traveling and this was the worst airline, ever,  and she wanted to kill someone! 😬 Not a lot I could say, so I just offered her a Mento! 

We arrived in Kuala Lumpur and I was told that my next flight was leaving from gate H2 but first I had to go through Immigration! 

Oh Shit! I’d completely forgotten about the immigration part, internal flight then an international flight 🤦‍♀️ 

Things were very tight, time wise, and Immigration and gate H2 were obviously bloody miles away, so I legged it. Immigration a doddle. But still trying to find H2, whilst ignoring my need for a wee! Eventually found the gate, with just enough time to have a wee. Went through more security, sat in the boarding lounge and they announced that the flight was delayed!! 😂😂 

By now I was blooming starving, having had nothing but a mento and some peanuts since breakfast, it was now 6.30. I figured I’d just get something when I arrived at my hotel in 3 hrs! 

However, joy of joys, Malaysian Airlines gave us a full meal on our 2 hr flight to Bangkok. Happy Days. 😍😍

Arriving in Bangkok my next hurdle was going to be the Visa on Arrival. Having learnt from my experience in Kuala Lumpur. I had made a note of all of the pertinent details, Hotel names, addresses, my leaving date etc. 

I arrived at immigration and spoke to a staff member about getting my Visa, she asked what nationality I was and then said I could just go straight to immigration! It was an absolute breeze! 😍 

I headed to the Taxi rank, got a taxi, which looked like it was being driven by a 12 year old with a fake moustache! He also drove like a 12 year old, pulling alongside his mate on the motorway, winding down his window and having a chat at 60 miles an hour! Then chatting on his phone, which meant he nearly missed our turnoff and proceeded to cut across 2 lines of traffic and just about made it! I was swearing and sweating in the back! After trying to drop me off at 2 incorrect hotels we eventually made it to my hotel. After a mammoth 12hr journey. 😳

My Hotel, The Rose Residence, was a beautiful, calm, peaceful sanctuary after all the Taxi madness. ❤️

I dropped off my luggage and went out to explore. The hotel is very close to a night market, which in turn is very close to all the sex joints, with the ubiquitous Ping Pong shows! 

I grabbed myself a Chang Beer, some Spring Rolls and people watched for a while. 

I’m only in Bangkok for 2 nights but I do have a couple of things to do.

I need to get myself a Thai SIM card, a priority, especially as I need to use Grab. I also need to go to the Bus office and book my transport to Cambodia.

The wonderful staff and manager at the hotel, were so helpful. They printed off my Train Ticket for my journey to Hun Hin, then called the train company to try and get me a better departure time. Unfortunately there isn’t one. 

I got my SIM sorted at the nearest 7 Eleven, by 2 young women who didn’t speak any English and I don’t speak any Thai but between us all we got it sorted! 

I Jumped in a Grab, found the Bus office, which was open! 👍

The Giant Ibis Bus Company. I’m using them after reading a travel blog which said they were amazing, they also have great reviews. The bus from Bangkok to Siem Reap takes 8hrs. The company organises your Cambodian Visa, they also provide drinks, snacks and aircon all for the princely sum of £20. 😍

From the office I walked down to the river and jumped on a boat to the stop the Hotel Manager had suggested was the nearest one to the Hotel. 

It was still around 2.5k back to the hotel, so as it was very hot I stopped for an iced coffee then ordered a Grab. 

Well, this turned into another bloody saga. I was waiting at what I assumed was the pick up point, the app said the driver had arrived, I couldn’t see him so tried to call, not great due to the language barrier, I walked around a bit to see if I could see him, tried messaging him (they can be translated) Asked the guy in the coffee shop if I was at the right spot, he said yes, went back waited again, not sign of him, this went on for about 10 mins, he sent me a picture of the pick up spot, I was in the right place. I sent back a picture of myself in the right spot. Then I received a stream of stroppy rude messages from him. Basically saying, “I’ve been looking for you several times” “You’re never there!” Then “You people not prepared to get on a bus at all” “You should Stand and wait” “As for me I have to drive around as there is a lot of traffic” “You waste my time”  I was like, WTAF! I’ve been stood here waiting you knob! 

I sent a polite message back saying, “don’t bother, I’m going to walk, sorry to have caused you to have a bad day” then cancelled the ride. Which I now have to pay a penalty for, TBF it’s only 50p. 

I was very irritated by the whole exchange, so decided I would actually walk, that’ll bloody teach him!! 😂

2 kilometres and 20 pints of sweat later I’m sure he learnt his bloody lesson!! 😂😂

I got back to the Hotel and got straight into the delicious, cool shady pool! Heaven. 

I popped out for dinner to a little place just round the corner from the hotel, an Indian Restaurant. I had a gorgeous Chicken Biriyani and a Mojito. Everything was yummy. 😋 All the staff were lovely as well. 

When it was time for me to leave the city was in the middle of a huge storm with torrential rain. Obviously I came out without my umbrella! The guy on the door told me I should wait for a bit, but I explained I was just around the corner, so I’d be fine. He then got the Owner/Manager to walk me to my hotel under his umbrella! ☔️☔️ 😍 What a lovely, kind thing to do. ❤️

I’m now just sitting in the garden, watching all the hotel cats playing (there’s lots of them! 😍) and enjoying my breakfast. 

It’s been quite nice being back in Bangkok, especially as I’m not rushing round trying to see everything. 

The manager here told me that Hun Hin is lovely, I hope,so. 

I will let you know! 

Books Read

Cheater. Karen Rose. It was OK. A little predictable, and a little all American mom & pop. 

Thank you Laura for your recommendations. I’ve downloaded both of them. 👍❤️❤️

Have a great day.

❤️🩵🧡💙💚🩷

I had booked myself another day trip for today. A Boat trip around the mangroves. 

After yesterday’s trip, my expectations were low! Especially as it involved boats, which I don’t have a great history with, having injured myself twice last year getting on and off a long tail boat in Thailand! 

Things started badly. Pick up was from the hotel at 9.30, I was ready and waiting in the lobby by 9.25. The coach arrived on time with a fabulously psychedelic interior 🤩 we all then sat waiting for a further 25 mins for 2 late guests, who just sauntered onboard without a care! We then arrived at the next pick up, now 25 mins late, only to have to wait a further 15 mins for more, rude late arrivals, who were now 40 mins late! Why? WTAF. 😳 

It was a nice pleasant 35 minute drive to Kilm Geopark. Where we were getting onto the boats. 

I will just put it out there right now, my embarking and disembarking of the boat, numerous times, I might add, was majestic!! 😍 😊💪

I was very impressed and hugely relieved! 🥰

Our first stop was the Bat Caves, clues in the name! 

As we got off the boats (flawlessly 😍) there were lots of Macaque monkeys, who obviously figured out that people = food! 

Just before we went into the Bat Caves, I spotted a large monitor lizard in the shrubbery. Fantastic. 

The caves, were OK, nothing major, but interesting, parts of the caves become completely cut off during hight tide. Also large parts of the Mangroves become inaccessible during low tide. It must be a very large tide. 

After that Bat Caves we headed down the large channel of water towards the fish farm and the floating restaurant, where we were going to be having lunch later in the day. Once we were in the channel the captain absolutely floored it and we were going extremely fast! 😬😂 everyone loved it, even a little 15 month old baby, me, not so much! 😬

I did actually get used to it and it ended up being fun🤩

I wasn’t keen of the fish farm bit but the mangroves were amazing, we saw lots more monkeys at Crocodile Cave, so named as it resembles a crocodile, we were unable to go through the cave due to the height of the tide. 

We also spotted another monitor lizard swimming across the channel. 

Then we went to a spot along the channel that is home to lots of Kites and lots of Sea Eagles. Oh Wow! So many birds it was spectacular. 

They began nesting here many many years ago, as this spot was where the fisherman discarded their unwanted catch before returning home, over time the raptors realised that this meant easy pickings. 

I absolutely loved watching the birds, I tried to get a couple of pics, but no go, so I stopped trying and just enjoyed the spectacle. 

From here we moved out in to the open sea, hugging the coastline and had a quick stop at a small beach. Again I managed to get on and off the boat into the water with some level of dignity! 😂

I had put on my swimming costume on under my clothes so I was able to enjoy a beautiful, refreshing sea dip. 

On the way back for lunch we stopped just inside the mangrove area in a smallish bay to take pictures of the sign and I spotted a dolphin in the water, the captain and guide were a little dubious as they rarely see dolphins in that spot. But I was right! And there were 2 of them, they resurfaced and we stayed to watch them swimming for a while…it was magical. 

Once we were back at the fish farm for lunch, the guide came over and took me to the edge of the platform and there were 2 sea otters!! 🦦 OMG! So amazing. I could see them clearly, photos aren’t so clear.

The whole trip was fabulous. I loved seeing so much wildlife. It was definitely a winner. 

Since then I’ve had a couple of nice chilled days, just mooching, reading and also planning my trip to Cambodia. 

I’ve pretty much booked the whole trip, just the last week to organise, but I’m not sure where I want to go, so I’ll get to that after a bit more research. 

I did manage to book a bus for the wrong date, August 10th instead of September 10th 🤦‍♀️ Annoying but at least I only lost £5. 

I’ve really enjoyed my time in Langkawi and Malaysia but today, Sunday, I’m leaving for Thailand. First stop Bangkok for a couple of days then onto Hun Hin for a couple of weeks. 

Books read

Fatal Intrusion. Jeffery Deaver & Isabella Maldonado. Another thriller. Good.

Absolutely & Forever. Rose Tremain. I really enjoyed it, different to the books I have been reading as it’s a love story but really good. 

Thank you Tracey for the recommendation! 👍❤️

Have a great Sunday people.

Lots of love.

🧡🩷💙💚❤️

Well, what can I say! Langkawi is absolutely beautiful! 🩵💚🩵

My hotel is also pretty nice. Big and modern, with a lovely rooftop bar with gorgeous sunset views. 🌅 

My journey here was an absolute doddle. Grab to the airport in Penang, which is pretty small and easy to navigate. As it was an internal flight check in was quick as was security. The flight left a little later than scheduled, I thought it was a 1 Hour flight but by the time we were up, the stewards just about had time to give us all a free bottle of water, peanuts and a bag of mini cookies and we coming in to land! 

I’d arranged an airport pick up, and my driver was a beautiful very glamorous lady called Esta, she was lovely.

I arrived at the hotel just in time to watch the amazing sunset and have a couple of delicious cocktails. I also had my first bowl of Laksa, minus the prawns, much to the staffs confusion and amazement, they insisted on adding chicken! It really was yummy. I also had a good catch up with Grantley and Rebecca.

Monday was a beautiful, clear, sunny day, so after a delicious breakfast I decided to have some time on the beach.

I slathered on my factor 50 sun cream and off I went. 

It’s a shortish walk, or the hotel offer a little buggy service, I opted for the buggy service! 😊

The beach, Pantai Tengah, is stunning, soft white sand and the beautiful warm Andaman Sea. 

I found a sun bed with a big umbrella and settled down to relax. 

I even swam in the sea a few times! 👍😍💙 it was gorgeous.

I’m not entirely sure how it happened but I managed to get sunburned 😩 I wasn’t in the sea for long, I had a swim back at the hotel pool, but only a short one! Unless the umbrella at the beach did nothing! Whatever the reason it’s a silly mistake to make! Bring on lashings of Nivea Aftersun! 

Tuesday was a pretty stormy, rainy day and my plan was to do some admin and some laundry, keeping myself well and truly out of the sun! 

I popped into the nearest bigger shopping area and got myself some aloe vera gel, some plasters for a little cut on my foot then dropped off my laundry all in the torrential rain ☔️😃

I was feeling a little tired and irritable today, due to lack of sleep and the sunburn probably. This situation wasn’t helped when I collected my laundry, I’ve had laundry done in lots of places and it always comes back washed, dried and folded. This lot came back shoved in the bag in a big old mess! It was so scrunched up I had to resort to bloody ironing a top and a dress! WTAF!😳 I never, ever, iron anything! 

I decided to try and cheer myself with a walk to the lovely restaurant I visited on Monday, I walked there, it was closed!! No!! 😩

Luckily I found another beautiful restaurant in the hotel next door to mine, it was lovely and breezy and did a yummy Nasi Gorang and an equally good Long Island Iced Tea! 🍹🍹

Today, Wednesday I had booked tickets for the Langkawi Sky walk. I’m hoping it doesn’t pour down, but also not be totally sunny!! 

I took a Grab at 9.30, wanting to get there before both the crowds and the midday heat, only to discover that for some arbitrary reason it’s closed today until 12pm. It’s not just down the road, so I can’t pop back. 

The staff were really lovely and gave me a complimentary ticket to a couple of the attractions. An art thing, not really my cup of tea and then a 3d, interactive T Rex ride!! Again not really my thing, but I had time to waste so gave it a go and It was actually really good fun!! 😃

I now only had an hours wait for my sky Cab ride. I had booked a glass bottomed gondola (Why? For the love of god, I hate heights, why did I do this! 😬) to the top of a bloody large hill!! 

If I’m honest, I should have learnt my lesson after Penang Hill. I really don’t like heights. I found this whole experience, the gondola, the sky bridge (which I could feel moving) the funicular to the sky bridge all a bit anxiety inducing and scary! The views were nice. But it wasn’t peaceful and relaxing. 

On the ride down, in a gondola by myself the bloody thing stopped for what felt like ages (was probably about 4 seconds!) I was horrified, what if I got stuck up here alone? What if it breaks? What if the cables start to fray? How well were these things made? How are they maintained? Are they maintained at all? Honestly, I was extremely happy to be back on solid ground! 😬😂

Books Read 

The Alliance. Matt Brolly. A thriller, serial killer book. Was interesting, a good read.

📕Any recommendations for some good reads would be most welcome. 

Happy Thursday guys.

🩵💙💚

Having done lots of walking over the last few days and with a couple of blisters, I figured I’d have a more chilled day and head round the Island to Batu Ferringhi, a nice beach resort. 

I contemplated getting  a bus, but felt a little lazy so went for a Grab. 

My lovely female driver, Wendy, was great and we had a good chat. 

Our chat certainly put my very narrow view points into perspective. I had assumed that Penang was a big tourist spot, and it is, but I thought that tourism was the biggest economic source. This is not the case, Penang is a massive IT hub and has huge business from Dell & Intel. It was also interesting to see that Penang is very modern, once you leave the old Georgetown area. I need to make sure I am checking my assumptions going forward! 

Wendy dropped me off by the beach. It was still relatively early so the beach wasn’t busy. I reminded me of Phucket and Bang Tao. With this in mind I thought I’d have a short stroll along the beach, find a nice beach bar then sit and relax. Mmm…I did find a Beach Bar, eventually, having walked pretty much to the end of the beach! 😂 Not that it was an unpleasant walk, the sand between my toes and the sound of the ocean. It was also a very clean beach, very little plastic or rubbish to be seen. 

I ordered a delicious Apple juice, they make it with fresh Granny Smith Apples and it’s amazing! 🍏💚Then sat and watched the world go by for a while. 

I’m not sure I’m yet in the completely relaxed zone, where I don’t feel bad for doing nothing, or sitting still for long! So, I decided to walk back up the beach to another Beach Bar, called ‘Sunset Beach’ 

It was however midday! I found the bar by accident, unlike Bang Tao, which had numerous bars lining the beach Batu Ferringhi doesn’t! I spotted a big hotel and figured I’d stop here to get out of the sun, check my directions and then continue. 

Turns out the bar is actually in the hotel. It was OK, not really on the beach, my Pina Colada tasted weird but I was so hot I drank it anyway! 😂 

I sat for a while and read my book. Then decided to get the bus back, as it stopped right outside the hotel. 

The bus cost 50p for the 50 minute journey. By the time we reached Georgetown it was packed. I wasn’t entirely sure where to get off, but spotted a tall building I knew was somewhere near to my hotel so jumped off and walked the last bit back. 

I treated myself to a delicious iced caramel latte and cooled down with my feet dangling in the pool, then a chill up on the roof terrace. 

Whilst up there I noticed lots of white smoke drifting about, then I saw & heard lots of noise and smoke by the hotel. Turns out this whole area is being treated for mosquitoes, due to a few cases of West Nile Virus being detected! 😬😳 Luckily for me I haven’t been bitten…..Yet! 

The lovely people at reception pointed me in the direction of a nearby food court, I didn’t fancy walking back into town. The food court was huge and obviously very popular. I had some veggie fried rice for the grand total of £1.60 👍

My restful day still ended with me having done 15,000 steps! 

I think Malaysia makes a fabulous holiday destination, it’s not really any further than Thailand but it’s cheaper, has great weather, culture and delicious food! Win win! 

I definitely spoke too soon! I’ve woken up this morning with 2 bites on my face 😳 1 on my cheek and 1 on my forehead! Attractive 😂

Not sure when they happened, I’m super alert to mossie noise at night and I check the room religiously, so perhaps it was in the food court, or the walk there & back, or it may be some other biting creature. 

Today I am going to relax, not rush around, chill and read my book. 

I did this most of the morning. After a good breakfast of poached eggs on toast I took myself up to the roof terrace, where, once again I was all by myself! 😍 I’m not sure everyone knows it’s here, which is great! 

After a couple of hours I started getting twitchy, so took myself off for a stroll (obviously it was midday again! Seriously, mad dogs and all that! 😂) 

My walk took me towards the water and I remembered there was a very beautiful old hotel nearby. 

The Eastern & Oriental Hotel was opened in 1884 by 2 Armenian brothers, Martin & Tiguan Sarkies, who also opened Raffles Hotel in Singapore in 1887.

It is a beautiful building, right on the waterfront and very fancy! 

I decided to stop for a bit of lunch and having walked there, tried not to look too sweaty in its gorgeous interior. Cue vigorous face fanning. 😂

Lunch of homemade samosas and an apple juice was delicious. They had Whispering Angel on the menu but I was good and opted for the apple juice, it was a difficult decision! 😇

On reflection I should have explored a little more, apparently the ballroom is fabulous. 

I walked back to the hotel and continued to chill on my personal roof terrace, patiently waiting for the predicted storms to appear, they didn’t ☹️

I had dinner in the hotel. The menu is surprisingly full of very western dishes, pie, Yorkshire pudding, pasta, burgers. Just not my thing. They do have ‘Chicken Chop’ though, which is apparently a very popular Malay dish, It’s fried chicken on a bed of curry sauce, vegetables & chips. I gave it a go but was sadly underwhelmed. I’d much rather a Nasi Gorang or some Hainanese Chicken rice, but it’s worth trying new things. 

The storms finally arrived and I sat on the terrace and enjoyed the spectacle. 

I’ve woken up this morning (Sunday) with a nice swollen, puffy eye thanks to the swelling from the bites and fluid drawing down from my head! Yeah…..😩 

It’s my last day here in Georgetown. I’m off to another island in Malaysia called Langkawi. It looks beautiful, I’m hoping the hotel pool will be big enough for me to swim in! I haven’t had a proper swim since I left Bunbury. 

My flights not until 17.30 so I’ll head back into Georgetown for a last look around. 

I found myself back in Armenian Street, where the street art is it’s also near the Jetty’s.

I haven’t visited the Jetties yet.

The Clan Jetties form a residential neighbourhood within Georgetown and were built in 1888. They were built by different Chinese Clans, Ong, Lim, Chew, Tan, Lee and mixed Yeoh. 

I visited the Chew Jetty. It’s a fascinating place. Lots of shops, food stalls, restaurants then in the background people simply living their lives. I’m so glad I got to visit. 

I then had another wander through Armenian Street, which felt much busier than during the week. 

I had a a conversation with a Grab driver the other day who told me that Durian Fruit tastes like ice cream!! It most certainly does not smell like ice cream, it smells minging. It is however extremely popular, so, I thought I ought to give it a shot! 

The lady put a small bit in a cup, told me not to smell just eat, which I did 😳 It was actually not as bad as I was expecting, but it is weird. It’s not sweet or savoury but rather somewhere in between, a little fibrous and very unfamiliar. I worry about the sort of ice cream my drivers been eating! 😂 I don’t think I’ll be rushing to try it again! The taste also lingers….😬

Well that’s it for Penang.

I’m just finishing writing this back at the hotel before I head to the airport. 

Langkawi here I come!

I’ve actually arrived in Langkawi and it’s beautiful 😍 💚❤️

Have a great week!

🩵💙💚🩷❤️

Books read.

Perfect Silence. Helen Field part of a series featuring DI Callanach. Good. 

The 6.20 Man. David Baldacci. This was a re-read. It was OK. I’ve got book 2, hence the re read.